Matty’s Toyo

Yoshiaki Ishigaki, the founder of Toyo Frames, raises some interesting points on his website about quality versus quantity. He wonders also about modern social quality and what we can do to improve it. One solution he proffers is the selection of a well-made bike over one of average caliber. I’m inclined to agree with him, even more so after inspecting one of his frames so closely.

A painted frame, it is said, can hide a multitude of sins, but there’s no concealing messy construction under a clear coat. The high level of attentiveness paid by the builders at Toyo is evident here, where each lug is lined with perfect brass. This is Matty’s dream bike, a Melbourne local who collaborated with Sasha at Melbourne’s Pony Bikes to create it.

While not everything on the Toyo is NJS-approved, I’ll bet it’s all Yoshiaki-san approved. A monotone mix of Dura-Ace, Kashimax and Nitto, the only band of color, appropriately, is on the Euro-Asia Imports Gold Medal Pro cog. It’s a functional and stylish build, well-suited to the rough and beautiful streets of Melbourne. Special thanks to Sasha at Pony Bikes and Jay at Enamel for the photography.